Handle and adjustable support for air conditioner



J. A. PIETSCH Oct. 6, 1964 HANDLE AND ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT FOR AIR CONDITIONER Filed Dec. 26, 1961 INVENTOR. JOSEPH A. P\F TSCH MW ms ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,151,791 AND ABHJS'LAELE SUE PQRT FUR Am CGNBH'HBNER Joseph A. Pietsch, Louisville, Ky, assignor to General Electric Qompany, a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 26, 195i, Ser. No. 162,197 2 Claims. (El. 224-45) The present invention relates to an air coditioner of the self-contained or window-mounted type and is more particularly concerned with an adjustable support and handle arrangement for carrying the air con tioner and adjustably supporting the air conditioner within a window or aperture in an outer wall of an enclosure.

As window mounted or room air conditioners are reduced in size and weight, it becomes more feasible, at least in the lower capacity units, to move them from window-to-window within a house in order to attain th benefits of these conditioners in different rooms at different times. Low capacity window mounted air conditioners sometimes weigh as little as 60 to 80 pounds and can easily be transported by one or two persons from room-to-room so that the air conditioner may be used to condition m'r within the occupied rooms of a house. In order to facilitate the handling of selfcontained air conditioners, it is desirable to supply the conditioner with a handle and adjustable supporting means so that the conditioner can be easily carried by one or two persons and mounted within any new location.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved handle and mounting arrangement for transporting a self-contained room air conditioner and supporting the air conditioner within any one of a number of different window mounting locations.

further object of the present invention is to provide a room air conditioner having a carrying handle that doubles as a means for adjusting the outer supporting apparatus for positioning the conditioner within a window opening.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

In carrying out the objects of the present invention there is provided a self-contained air conditioner including a case or housing adapted for mounting through a window or an aperture in an outer wall of an enclosure. In order to carry the air conditioner, there is provided at least one rod member extending completely through the conditioner and having a handle on its upper end protruding through the top of the case. A threaded section on the rod member is assembled through a threaded means secured to the case thereby attaching the rod member to the case so that the case may be transported by applying a force to the handle of the rod member. The lower end of the rod member extends through the bottom side of the case and may be adjustably positioned to provide support for the case merely by rotating the rod member so that the lower end thereof moves upwardly or downwardly with respect to the bottom of the housing.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the air conditioner of the present invention mounted on a transport skid of the type generally used for transporting a conditioner in its package or box;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view having portions broken away to show the adjustable handle and mounting rod;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view of one embodiment of 3,151,791 Patented 0st. 6, 1964 the invention showing in detail the telescoping mounting handle and rod member with the member secured to a transport skid;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3; and

FiGURE 6 is a cross-sectional View similar to that shown in FIGURE 3 of another embodiment of the supporting rod and handle arrangement.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown a selfcontained air conditioning unit of the type commonly known as a room air conditioner including 'a case or housing 1 which contains air circulating and refrigeration components (not shown) adapted to cool an air stream circulated through the case 1 from an enclosure. The case or housing 1 includes a top side 2, a bottom side 3, a front 4 and a rear side 6. The front 4 of the conditioner is provided with suitable air inlet and outlet openings through which air is circulated from within the enclosure through the case i where the air is conditioned. in FIGURE 1, the case is shown mounted on a transport skid 7 to which it is attached during shipping in a manner to be explained later in the specification.

In FIGURE 2, the conditioner is shown mounted through a window opening including the window sill 11 which supports the forward or inner portions of the case 1 and the slanting or ledge portion 11a of the window opening which supports the outer portion of the case 1. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the case 1 is provided with an upraised portion 13 on the front portion of the air conditioner behind which the sash 12 of the window fits when the conditioner is mounted within a window opening. More specifically, the window sash l2 lowers behind the rearward edge 14 of the upraised section 13 formed in the top side 2 of the case and seals the upper portion of the case 1 against the flow of air between the top side 2 of the case and the lower sash 12 of the window. As stated above the rear portion of the housing extends through the window opening and extends to the outdoors above the slanting portion 11a of the window opening.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as seen in FIGURE 2, the bottom side 3 is formed so that the front portion thereof is indented or flanged upwardly in substantially the same manner as the upper side 2. The indentation or flange 15 in the bottom side 3 is adapted to abut the rear shoulder 11b of the window sill 11 and to thereby prevent air from flowing between the bottom side 3 of the case and window sill.

In accordance with the present invention, the air conditioner is adapted to be moved from window-to-window within a house. In order to facilitate carrying of the unit and to adjustably support the conditioner with respect to the aperture or window sill upon which it is to be mounted, the conditioner is provided with a pair of rod members 16 which are of a length greater than the height of the case, and which extend through the top of the case and have handles formed thereon or attached thereto. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment of the inven tion, these rod members 16 include a tubular section 17 and a bolt or threaded section 21 having an upper end or head 22 adapted to slide within a cavity formed in the tubular section 17. As may be seen upon reference to FIGURE 2 the cavity within the tubular section 17 is non-circular in cross section. The tubular section 17 of the rod members is provided with a handle 18 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is attached to the tubular section 17 by means of a tapped rivet 19 or screw or other means well known in the art. The bolt section 21 is provided with a threaded portion which, in the embodiment disclosed in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, is on the lower end of the bolt section 21. As may be seen in FIGURES 3 and 5, most of the bolt section 21 extends downwardly from the tubular section 17. The lower end 17a of the tubular section 17 is crimped or swaged so that the head 22 of the bolt section 21 cannot pass through the end 17a of the tubular section 17. The head 22 of the bolt section 21, as may best be seen in FIGURE 4, is elongated to assume substantially the same general configuration as the cavity of the tubular section 17 and thus cannot rotate within the cavity. That is, the head 22 of the bolt section cannot rotate separately from the tubular section 17. The bolt section 21 is free to recede or telescope within the tubular section 17 so that the tubular section may be moved vertically with respect to the bolt section when the rod member is mounted within the case as will be hereinafter explained.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, the rod members 16 are adapted to be positioned with the handle 18 extending above the top side 2 of the case. More specifically, the rod members 16 extend through an upper hole 26 formed in the topside 2 of the case and protrude at their bottom end through holes 27 formed in the bottom side 3 of the case. Holes 26 and 27 are in substantially vertical alignment and retain the rod members 16 in substantially a vertical position with respect to the case 1. In the preferred embodiment, the tubular section 17 is of a length less than the height of the case so that, in its normal position, most of the tubular section 17 is within the case. Only the handle 18 normally protrudes above the top 2 of the case.

Threaded means are provided within the case for securing the rod members 16 to the case or housing so that the case may be transported when a lifting force is applied to the handles 18 of the rod members. More specifically, as may be seen in FIGURE 3, there is pro vided a threaded nut 28 which is securely attached to the bottom side 3 of the case in alignment with the hole 27 therein. While the nut 28 is shown as welded to the bottom 3 of the case, it is to be understood that a threaded means, such as a block having a threaded hole therethrough, could be provided and mounted on suitable supporting channels at any other desirable position within the case. However, the threaded hole would necessarily have to be aligned with the top and bottom holes 26 and 27 respectively in order to receive the rod members 16 therethrough.

The threaded portion of the bolt section 21 is assembled through the nut 28 so that the lower end 24 of the bolt protrudes through the bottom of the case 3. Threading of the rod member or bolt section 21 through the nut 28 can, of course, be accomplished from the upper end thereof merely by turning the handle 18. When the handle 18 is turned the tubular section 17 engages the head 22 of the bolt section 21 and rotates the threaded portion of the bolt section through the threads of the nut 28. Thus, merely by rotating the rod members 16 in one direction or the other, the lower end 24 thereof may be vertically adjusted with respect to the bottom 3 of the case. When it is desirable to move the unit, it is only necessary to lift the handles 18 so that the tubular section 17 slides upwardly with respect to the bolt sections 21. When the lower or swaged ends 17a engage the heads 22 of the bolt sections 21 and a vertical force is applied at the handles 18, this force is then transferred, via the bolt sections, to the nuts 28 and the case thereby providing a lifting force on the air conditioner.

When it is desired to mount the case 1 in a window, such as that shown in FIGURE 2, the front portion of the case 1 is rested upon the window sill 11 and the handles 18 of the rod members 16 are rotated in a direction to move the ends 24 downwardly into abutting relation against the outer portion or slanting portion 11a of the window to support the rearward portions of the conditioner within the window. The tubular sections are then permitted to slide downwardly through the holes 26 so that the handles rest on the top 2 of the case. The window sash 12 is then moved down into abutting relationship with the top of the case suitable closure means (not shown) of a type well known in the art is then inserted in the space between the sides of the case 1 and the sides of the window. The location and length of the handles are such that when the window sash 12 is pulled down into place the handles cannot be turned. This locks the handles in place and prevents pilferage.

The holes 26 and 27 in the top side and bottom sides respectively of the case are arranged so that they position the rod members 16 in a plane passing substantially through a point slightly to the rearward side of the center of gravity of the air conditioner. As is well known in the room air conditioner art, the rearward portion or protruding portion of the air conditioner is usually the heaviest portion of the air conditioner because the compressor and condenser components are generally much heavier than the components mounted in the forward or room side of the conditioner. Thus, as will be seen in FIGURE 2, the openings 26 and 27 are disposed substantially rearwardly of the center of the housing so that the air conditioner is balanced on the window frame and will not tip outward should the window sash 12 be lifted.

The rod members 16 serve another very important function during the transportation or shipping of air conditioners of this type within their carton or case. It is normal practice to ship a room air conditioner within a cardboard carton or case upon a wooden or cardboard skid member, such as that illustrated by the reference numeral 7. In accordance with the present invention, the rod members 16 are adapted to extend through holes 8 formed in the skid member with the ends 24 or threaded portion thereof extending beneath the surface of the skid platform. A nut 29 and washer 30 are threaded over the end 24 of the threaded portion of the bolt section 21 and tightened down on the lower side of the skid 7 to secure the bottom side 3 of the case to the skid. In this manner, the conditioner is securely attached to the skid which may then be placed within a suitable carton or box. Upon receipt at its destination or by the purchaser, the handles are merely turned until the end 24 of the bolt section is backed out of the nut 29 thereby releasing the conditioning unit from the skid 7. The conditioner may then be lifted from the skid 7 by a vertical force applied to the handles 18 and carried to a window where the unit may be installed as previously described.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, there is shown a second embodiment of the invention in which the rod members 31, only one of which is shown in FIGURE 6, are a one-piece member which protrudes through the top 2 and bottom 3 of the case. In this embodiment of the invention, the rod 37 is formed at its upper end into handle 32 and is provided at its lower end with a threaded section or portion 33. As in the previously described embodiment, the threaded section of the rod members is assembled through a threaded means attached securely to the case and in this manner provides transfer of any force applied to the rod members to the case. In this embodiment, the threaded means or nut 28 is secured to the bottom side 3 of the case within an indented portion 36 formed by upsetting or stamping the bottom side 3 of the case. The hole 37, arranged in alignment with the hole 26 in the top 2 of the case, is formed Within the indented portion 36 and the rod extends through the hole 37 before entering the threaded means or nut 28. In this arrangement the force of the nut is applied to a portion of the bottom side 3 of the case and provides a substantial supporting structure for the Weight of the conditioner when it is carried by means of the handle or handles 32 of the rod members. Obviously, this arrangement for attaching the nut 28 could be utilized in the previously described embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 3. While the rod, in this embodiment of the invention, does not retract into the case so that the handle 32 rests on top of the case, it does provide an arrangement that may be manufactured at low costs.

While in accordance with the patent statutes there has been described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and it is, therefore, the aim of the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a portable air conditioning unit comprising a housing having top and bottom sides and adapted to be mounted in a window of an enclosure with its front portion supported on the window sill and its rear portion overlying the window ledge outside of said enclosure, a combination carrying handle and adjustable support means comprising at least one rod member extending through said top and bottom sides and having a lower end for contacting said ledge, a carrying handle mounted on the upper end of said rod member, said rod member including a threaded section threadably securing said rod member to said housing whereby said handle also provides means accessible from within said enclosure for rotating said rod members to adjust the lower end thereof for supporting engagement with said ledge when said unit is mounted in said window.

2. In a portable air conditioning unit comprising a housing having top and bottom sides and adapted to be mounted in a Window of an enclosure with its front portion supported on the window sill and its rear portion overlying the window ledge outside of said enclosure, a combination carrying handle and support means comprising a pair of spaced rod members extending vertically through said top and bottom sides and having lower ends for contacting said ledge, 21 carrying handle mounted on the upper section of each of said rod member above said top side of said housing, said rod member including lower threaded sections threadably securing said rod members to said bottom side of said housing whereby said handles provide means accessible from Within said enclosure for rotating said rod members to adjust the lower ends thereof for supporting engagement with said ledge when said unit is mounted in said window.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 877,145 Waddell Ian. 21, 1908 2,598,643 Kaplan et al May 27, 1952 2,888,222 Budd May 26, 1959 2,892,269 Pospiszel June 30, 1959 

1. IN A PORTABLE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING TOP AND BOTTOM SIDES AND ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED IN A WINDOW OF AN ENCLOSURE WITH ITS FRONT PORTION SUPPORTED ON THE WINDOW SILL AND ITS REAR PORTION OVERLYING THE WINDOW LEDGE OUTSIDE OF SAID ENCLOSURE, A COMBINATION CARRYING HANDLE AND ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT MEANS COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE ROD MEMBER EXTENDING THROUGH SAID TOP AND BOTTOM SIDES AND HAVING A LOWER END FOR CONTACTING SAID LEDGE, A CARRYING HANDLE MOUNTED ON THE UPPER END OF SAID ROD MEMBER, SAID ROD MEMBER INCLUDING A THREADED SECTION THREADABLY SECURING SAID ROD MEMBER TO SAID HOUSING WHEREBY SAID HANDLE ALSO PROVIDES MEANS ACCESSIBLE FROM WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE FOR ROTATING SAID ROD MEMBERS TO ADJUST THE LOWER END THEREOF FOR SUPPORTING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID LEDGE WHEN SAID UNIT IS MOUNTED IN SAID WINDOW. 